Fairy bread is a beloved Australian children’s party treat: soft white bread spread with butter and covered in hundreds and thousands (sprinkles). This gluten-free version uses a high-quality gluten-free white sandwich bread and dairy-free butter to recreate the exact same sweet, crunchy, nostalgic experience, ensuring everyone can enjoy it safely. It comes together in minutes and is guaranteed to be a hit at any celebration.
Ingredients
- 12 slices (about 340 g / 12 oz) gluten-free white sandwich bread (see Tips)
- 6 tablespoons (85 g / 3 oz) salted butter, softened (or dairy-free butter substitute)
- 1 cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) gluten-free hundreds and thousands (sprinkles), plus extra if needed
Instructions
- Place the gluten-free bread slices on a clean work surface. If the slices are very thick, you can trim the crusts if you prefer, but it’s not necessary.
- Using a butter knife or offset spatula, spread a thin, even layer of softened butter over one side of each bread slice, all the way to the edges. The butter should be soft enough to spread easily without tearing the bread.
- Pour the gluten-free sprinkles into a shallow dish or plate. The dish should be wide enough to fit a slice of bread.
- Take one buttered bread slice and press the buttered side down into the sprinkles, gently pressing all over to ensure the sprinkles stick evenly. Lift and shake off any excess sprinkles back into the dish.
- Repeat with the remaining slices, pressing each into the sprinkles one at a time.
- Cut each slice into triangles or fingers (e.g., cut each slice into 4 triangles or 3 fingers). Serve immediately on a platter.
Tips
- Bread choice: Look for a gluten-free white sandwich bread that is soft and pliable, not too dense or crumbly. If your bread is very fragile, freeze it for 10 minutes before buttering to make it easier to handle.
- Butter consistency: Use softened, not melted, butter. Melted butter will soak into the bread and make it soggy, while cold butter will tear the bread. If using dairy-free butter, ensure it’s a spreadable variety.
- Sprinkles: Always check the label on your sprinkles to confirm they are gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat starch. Use the classic “hundreds and thousands” style (tiny round sprinkles) for the authentic texture.
- Make it ahead: You can butter the bread and cut it into shapes up to 2 hours ahead, but only add the sprinkles right before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve fairy bread as a fun party snack at children’s birthdays, playdates, or baby showers. It pairs wonderfully with fruit platters, fruit juice, or a simple lemonade. For a festive touch, arrange the triangles on a platter in a circular pattern or on skewers for easy grabbing.
Variations
- Chocolate fairy bread: Swap the butter for a thin layer of chocolate hazelnut spread or chocolate butter.
- Rainbow or themed: Use rainbow sprinkles, or choose colors to match a party theme (e.g., red and blue for a superhero party).
- Fairy bread cookies: For a sturdier treat, use gluten-free sugar cookies as the base instead of bread.
- Vegan fairy bread: Use a vegan gluten-free bread and a plant-based butter to make this recipe fully vegan.
Storage and Reheating
Fairy bread is best enjoyed immediately, as the sprinkles will soften and the bread may become slightly soggy over time. If you must store it, place the assembled fairy bread in an airtight container lined with paper towels and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Do not reheat, as this will melt the butter and ruin the texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any type of gluten-free bread? Yes, but the texture matters. A soft, sandwich-style bread works best. Avoid dense, seedy, or artisan gluten-free breads, as they will not hold the sprinkles well and will change the flavor.
Are all sprinkles gluten-free? No, not all. Some sprinkles are manufactured in facilities that also process wheat, and some may contain wheat starch as an ingredient. Always read the label and look for a certified gluten-free symbol.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can butter the bread and cut it into shapes up to 2 hours in advance, but add the sprinkles just before serving to keep them crunchy. If you add them too early, they will absorb moisture from the butter and become soft.
What is the best way to cut fairy bread? Traditionally, fairy bread is cut into triangles (each slice cut into 4 triangles). You can also cut into fingers or use cookie cutters for fun shapes, but triangles are the classic.
Can I use margarine instead of butter? Yes, you can use a dairy-free margarine or butter substitute. Just ensure it is spreadable at room temperature.
My bread is tearing when I spread the butter. What should I do? This usually happens if the bread is too cold or too dry. Let the bread come to room temperature, and use a very soft butter. You can also try spreading the butter gently with a spatula rather than a knife.
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